Box Score - Louisiana-Monroe 45, South Alabama 38 (.pdf)Post Game QuotesPhoto GalleryMOBILE, Ala. – Freshman center Chyna Ellis recorded a career-high six blocks and moved into first-place on the University of South Alabama women's basketball team's freshman blocks chart, but the Jags shot just 22.6 percent for the game as Louisiana-Monroe pick up a 45-36 victory Thursday night in the program's annual "Pink Game" at the Mitchell Center.
"We struggled early and got off to a slow start, but were able to fight our way back and get back into it before halftime; we had a three[-point] attempt to tie it up that didn't go," South Alabama head coach Terry Fowler said. "We got off to a good start in the second and half and took the lead, and then we went ice cold. But we held them to a long stretch without scoring at the same time, the problem was they were in the bonus with 13 minutes to go so they were able to break their drought by getting to the line. We made some plays down the stretch, but they made some free throws to give themselves a cushion.
"I was just disappointed in the way we shot the ball — if you're going to shoot 22 percent, you're going to have a tough time beating anybody. This was one of the few games where we had a double-digit advantage in shot attempts than our opponent, but we didn't capitalize on those opportunities."
Ellis – who now has 51 blocks this season – also ranks seventh on USA's overall single-season blocks chart. The Cordova, Tenn., native posted her sixth double-double of the season – second-straight – with 14 points and 13 rebounds. The 13 rebounds also tied a career-best for Ellis.
The Jaguars (5-22, 2-16 SBC) will now break for a week before traveling to Arkansas State on Thu., March 5. Tip-off versus the Red Wolves is set for 5:05 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
Marquita Daniels ended the night just outside double figures with nine points, but did move into a tie with Stephanie Richardson for third-place on South Alabama's freshman steals list.
USA's leading scorer at 15.9 points per game, Breanna Hall, was held to just four points on 2-of-12 shooting. Hall, who entered the game leading the Sun Belt in three-point shooting and ranked 13th nationally, was 0-for-7 from beyond the arc in the loss. As a team, South Alabama was 5-of-25 from deep.
Louisiana-Monroe improved to 11-15 on the year and 7-10 in the conference with the win. Daja Chase paced the club with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Sharnice Brooks also ended the night in double digits with 10 points, while Alyashia Hunter pulled down 12 rebounds.
ULM held a 50-40 rebounding advantage in the game and outscored USA 26-12 in the paint.
Louisiana-Monroe came out hot, knocking down its first four shot attempts to take a 9-2 lead after a bucket by Brooks a little over three minutes into the contest.
USA struggled in the early going, connecting on just one of its first 14 shot attempts with five of its nine first-half turnovers during the first nine minutes of the game.
Brittany Webb finally ended an eight-minute field-goal drought for the Jaguars when the junior connected from the left wing at the 10:32 mark. On USA's next possession, Webb knocked down her second three of the night, this one from the right side.
ULM stretched its lead back out to nine (20-11) after a bucket by Chase and a free throw from Alayshia Hunter with six minutes, 41 seconds to go, but from that point on, South Alabama would hold the Warhawks to just two points for the remainder of the half.
Ellis – who led USA with eight points, eight rebounds and three blocks during the first 20 minutes of player – began an 8-2 spurt for South Alabama with back-to-back buckets. Taylor Jenkins later added a basket of her own and with one minute, 26 seconds showing on the clock, Hall recorded her first points of the evening to trim the deficit to 22-19.
USA would have a pair of opportunities to draw closer in the closing seconds, but it was unable to as ULM headed into the locker room with a three-point advantage.
With her three first-half blocks, Ellis made history as she passed LaShandra Jenkins (46 – 1981-82) to become the program's freshman blocks record holder. She now has 51 on the year.
As a team, South Alabama struggled to find its shooting touch, connecting on just 20.6 (7-of-34) of its attempts.
USA tied the contest back up at 22-22 on its first possession of the second half on a Daniel's trey. The freshman guard later gave the Jags their first lead of the night (25-24) with another long-range shot at the 16:37 mark. Daniels had been limited to just five minutes of playing time in the first half after picking up two quick fouls.
Two minutes later, Taylor Jenkins – who grabbed nine rebounds of her own – gave USA its largest lead of the contest at 27-24 after knocking down a baseline jumper.
The Warhawks would come right back though and rattle off a 9-0 run over a two-minute stretch to retake the lead and go out in front 33-27 on a three-pointer by Aundrea Davis with 11 minutes, 26 seconds remaining.
On the ensuing possession, Daniels would connect from the top of the key – her third trey of the half to end – coming out of a time out. Daniels' bucket though would be the last points for the Jaguars over the next six minutes.
ULM was unable to gain much breathing room during the offensive drought for South Alabama and Hall's runner in the lane at the 5:26 mark again made it a one-possession game (35-32).
USA would only manage two free throws over the next four minutes and the Warhawk lead would grow to 41-34 with under two to go.
Daniels found Ellis open underneath for another basket on the Jags next possession, but South Alabama would get no closer as Louisiana-Monroe held on to pick up the seven-point win.
NOTES: The meeting between South Alabama and Louisiana-Monroe marked the 20th in the all-time series between the two programs. South Alabama holds a 12-8 advantage in the series. The Jaguars hold a 7-3 lead in games played in Mobile. The Jaguar women wore pink uniforms for just the fifth time in the program's history against the Warhawks. USA holds a 3-2 record in those uniforms. Freshman center Chyna Ellis recorded a career-high six blocks and passed former Jag LaShandra Jenkins (1981-82) for first-place on the program's freshman single-season mark. Ellis – who now has 51 blocks this season – also ranks seventh on USA's overall single-season blocks chart. The Cordova, Tenn., native posted her sixth double-double of the season – second-straight – with 14 points and 13 rebounds. The 13 rebounds also tied a career-best for Ellis. Marquita Daniels ended the night just outside double figures with nine points, but did move into a tie with Stephanie Richardson for third-place on South Alabama's freshman steals list. Daniels now has 45 steals this season, one behind Jessica Webb (46) who sits in second-place. USA's leading scorer at 15.9 points per game, Breanna Hall, was held to just four points on 2-of-12 shooting. Hall, who entered the game leading the Sun Belt in three-point shooting and ranked 13th nationally, was 0-for-7 from beyond the arc in the loss. South Alabama will now break for a week before traveling to Arkansas State on Thu., March 5. Tip-off versus the Red Wolves is set for 5:05 p.m. at the Convocation Center. It will be the final road game of the season for USA.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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